MWC 2014: Ubuntu Phone OS Demo

At Canonical’s Ubuntu booth here in MWC 2014, the company is finally ready to shed more light on its alternative mobile platform. While Ubuntu Phone OS does not yet have a smartphone to call its own, the company has made it possible to flash Ubuntu Phone OS to some Android smartphones. At its booth were various Android smartphones such as the Nexus 4, which is used in the video above, showing a quick run through to Ubuntu Phone OS and its Scope UI.

Ubuntu Phone OS is Canonical’s attempt at making its vision of “desktop convergence” a reality, making a smartphone that is just as capable as a PC. The underlying code of Ubuntu Phone is the same as the desktop version, and the company claims that Ubuntu-powered smartphones can “transform” to a desktop PC when it is hooked to a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Of course, this vision is somewhat further down the road, as the platform is only due to exit beta stage in April. In the meantime, the company has already announced that two OEMs, namely Spanish smartphone maker bq Readers and Chinese company Meizu, will be developing Ubuntu smartphones globally with an aim for a 2014 release.

Want to know more about the various alternative mobile operating systems? Read more about Ubuntu Phone OS and other emerging platforms here.